Holder’s sacrifice

You’ll often hear the term “former walk-on” when referring to a non-scholarship player who has endured and achieved within the program and has been awarded a scholarship.

Well, Holder, of Bay Springs, is not a former walk-on, but it’s not because he didn’t earn a scholarship. He did, and he gave it up to teammate Justin Bigham, a senior tight end.

Five walk-ons were awarded scholarships by Hugh Freeze and his staff: Tight end Nick Parker, junior defensive end Walker Sturgeon, senior quarterback Robert Ratliff, senior linebacker Will Martin and Bigham.

Holder is a sixth scholarship recipient in spirit.

He goes into the Vanderbilt game listed No. 2 on the depth chart at slot receiver. He will play, Freeze says. How much he’ll play remains to be seen. He’s got good hands, and he’s a good route runner, but he’s also 5-11, 179, giving up a lot of height and weight to other teammates in his position group.